McIlroy decided Friday to play next week in the Texas Open, wanting one more tournament to try to find his form ahead of the first major of the year. The two-time major champion has only played five tournaments this year, making just two cuts.

He has completed only 10 rounds through Friday of the Houston Open.

McIlroy lost his No. 1 ranking last week to Tiger Woods, who won at Bay Hill. Even so, it gives the Texas Open its biggest name in more than a decade.

It's a big change from last year, when McIlroy took off three weeks before the Masters.